In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
shabby
(adjective) mean and unworthy and despicable; “shabby treatment”
ratty, moth-eaten, shabby, tatty
(adjective) showing signs of wear and tear; “a ratty old overcoat”; “shabby furniture”; “an old house with dirty windows and tatty curtains”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
shabby (comparative shabbier, superlative shabbiest)
Torn or worn; unkempt.
Clothed with ragged, much worn, or soiled garments.
Mean; paltry; despicable.
Source: Wiktionary
Shab"by, a. [Compar. Shabbier; superl. Shabbiest.] Etym: [See Shab, n., Scabby, and Scab.]
1. Torn or worn to rage; poor; mean; ragged. Wearing shabby coats and dirty shirts. Macaulay.
2. Clothed with ragged, much worn, or soiled garments. "The dean was so shabby." Swift.
3. Mean; paltry; despicable; as, shabby treatment. "Very shabby fellows." Clarendon.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
13 April 2025
(noun) an instance or single occasion for some event; “this time he succeeded”; “he called four times”; “he could do ten at a clip”
In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.